A new Stanford University study suggests that the rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the American job market, with the steepest impact on young workers just entering the workforce.
Analyzing payroll data from millions of employees provided by ADP, the nation’s largest payroll processor, researchers found that workers aged 22 to 25 in occupations most exposed to AI have seen a 13% decline in employment since 2022. Roles such as customer service representatives, accountants, and software developers were among those most affected.
The study’s authors said this drop helps explain why national employment growth for young workers has stalled, even as overall employment remains relatively strong. By contrast, older employees in those same professions have largely maintained or even increased their presence, suggesting that experience is acting as a buffer against technological disruption.
Jobs in fields less exposed to AI, such as healthcare support, showed steady growth. Young nursing aides, in particular, saw employment gains that outpaced older colleagues. Supervisory positions in production and operations also rose for younger workers, though at a slower rate than for those over 35.
The findings highlight how AI appears to displace roles where knowledge can be easily codified and automated, often matching the skill sets of recent graduates. At the same time, jobs that rely more heavily on accumulated experience or human interaction appear to face less disruption, and in some cases benefit from AI tools that enhance efficiency.
Source: CNBC